Schott Solar Plant in Albuquerque

Schott Solar Inc. has broken ground for a new solar power manufacturing plant on Mesa del Sol (appropriately enough) in Albuquerque, NM. Schott Solar will produce both Photovoltaic (PV) panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) receivers at the Albuquerque plant. The CSP receivers will be suitable for solar power plants of up to 50 Megawatts, while the PV panels can be used in installations of any size. The first CSP receivers should come off the manufacturing line in March 2009, to be followed by photovoltaic panels in April 2009.

The Schott Solar manufacturing plant will initially be 190,000 square feet and employ 350 workers. Plans allow for expanding the plant to 800,000 square feet and up to 1,500 employees. This is great news for New Mexico on many fronts. The Schott Solar plant will not only provide well-paying jobs in Albuquerque, it will provide more solar power options for all Americans.